Dave Dombrowski: Detroit Tigers didn't bid on Japanese ace Yu Darvish

AP File PhotoBidding for the posting fee for Japanese star Yu Darvish closed last Wednesday, and the Ham Fighters had until 5 p.m. EST on Tuesday to accept.

DETROIT -- The Texas Rangers won the bidding war to land Japanese right-hander Yu Darvish, but it cost the club a pretty penny -- $51.7 million to be exact.

Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski confirmed Thursday via text message that Detroit was not among the handful of teams that submitted a blind bid for the right to negotiate with the 25-year-old.

Instead, the Tigers elected to remain on the sidelines and out of a sweepstakes that will require the Rangers to pay the posting fee in one lump sum -- a price the Dombrowski apparently found too steep.

Dombrowski alluded to the club’s lack of interest in Darvish at the Winter Meetings in Dallas.

Dombrowski has suggested on multiple occasions the Tigers will likely avoid a blockbuster acquisition this offseason, saying the club is “not looking to make a big splash.”

Texas now has 30 days to work out a deal with his current team, the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, or Darvish must go back to Japan to pitch. The Japanese ace is expected to garner a contract that could exceed $100 million-plus.

The Rangers beat out bids made by several clubs, including the Toronto Blue Jays, the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees and earned the rights to negotiate for Darvish.